Wisconsin’s Lost Identity: Where is the Run Game?

There are many issues with the team, the coaching and the decision making. But the lack of a reliable running game sticks out like a sore thumb. And it sticks out because of how far Wisconsin’s running game and identity have dissolved since Fickell took over. His decision to open up the offense was odd in 2023, but what was odd then has turned into tragic mess for the program.

A closer look at some statistics will help illustrate this point. Below are the season rushing leaders at Wisconsin from 2005 until 2024, minus 2020 because of the minimized seven-game COVID season.

• 2005: Brian Calhoun (348 attempts, 1,636 yards, 22 touchdowns)
• 2006: P.J. Hill (311 attempts, 1,569 yards, 15 touchdowns)
• 2007: P.J. Hill (233 attempts, 1,212 yards, 14 touchdowns)
• 2008: P.J. Hill (226 attempts, 1,161 yards, 13 touchdowns)
• 2009: John Clay (287 attempts, 1,517 yards, 18 touchdowns)
• 2010: James White (156 attempts, 1,052 yards, 14 touchdowns)
• 2011: Montee Ball (307 attempts, 1,923 yards, 33 touchdowns)
• 2012: Montee Ball (356 attempts, 1,830 yards, 22 touchdowns)
• 2013: Melvin Gordon (206 attempts, 1,609 yards, 12 touchdowns)
• 2014: Melvin Gordon (343 attempts, 2,587 yards, 29 touchdowns)
• 2015: Dare Ogunbowale (194 attempts, 819 yards, 7 touchdowns)
• 2016: Corey Clement (314 attempts, 1,375 yards, 15 touchdowns)
• 2017: Jonathan Taylor (299 attempts, 1,977 yards, 13 touchdowns)
• 2018: Jonathan Taylor (307 attempts, 2,194 yards, 16 touchdowns)
• 2019: Jonathan Taylor (320 attempts, 2,003 yards, 21 touchdowns)
• 2021: Braelon Allen (186 attempts, 1,268 yards, 12 touchdowns)
• 2022: Braelon Allen (230 attempts, 1,242 yards, 11 touchdowns)
• 2023: Braelon Allen (181 attempts, 984 yards, 12 touchdowns)
• 2024: Tawee Walker (190 attempts, 864 yards, 10 touchdowns)

Up until the conclusion of the 2022 season, Wisconsin’s offense was far from tricky. Every defensive coordinator knew what was coming on game day, yet most couldn’t slow it down. From 2005 through 2022, the leading Wisconsin running back averaged 1,586 yards, 272 attempts and 5.9 yards per carry during a season.

Through Fickell’s first two seasons (2023 and 2024), Wisconsin lead backs averaged 924 yards, 186 attempts and 4.9 yards per carry. The numbers get much worse when bringing 2025 into the equation. The current leading rusher, Dilin Jones, currently has 300 yards and two touchdowns on 76 carries. Over a 12-game season this comes out to 514 yards, 3.5 touchdowns and 131 carries. Add this into Fickell’s first two seasons and the Badgers’ lead back is projected to average 787 yards, 167 attempts and 4.7 yards per carry.

For 17 seasons, the top Wisconsin running back averaged 1,586 yards, yet in three seasons with Fickell they are projected to average 787 yards. That is 799 yards less a season which is more than a 50% drop in production.

Once Alvarez laid down the successful foundation, the coaches that followed knew not to mess with a proven product. Bret Bielema, Gary Andersen and Paul Chryst followed the script that resulted in wins and bowls.

But for a reason that nobody can figure out, Fickell decided to take a detour, which is why the Badgers are where they are today.